The Dalai Lama, at his most compassionate and outspoken, here elaborates and deepens his vision for the nonreligious way. Transcending the mere "religion wars", he outlines a system of secular ethics that gives tolerant respect to religion, those that ground ethics in a belief in God and an afterlife, and those that understand good actions as leading to better states of existence in future lives. And yet, with the highest level of spiritual and intellectual authority, the Dalai Lama makes a claim for what he calls a third way.

5 out of 5 stars

Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!

By
Mary
on
12-20-11

The Joy of Less

A Minimalist Guide to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify

By:
Francine Jay

Narrated by:
Teri Schnaubelt

Length: 5 hrs and 59 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
803

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
695

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
683

Francine Jay pioneered the simple living movement with her self-published bestseller,
The Joy of Less. In this fully redesigned and repackaged edition - featuring never-before-seen content - Jay brings her philosophy to more listeners who are eager to declutter. Rather than the "crash diet" approach found in other tidying up books, Jay shares simple steps to cultivate a minimalist mindset and form new habits, paving the way to lasting success.

4 out of 5 stars

Definitely worth a read!

By
art student
on
07-19-16

Declutter Your Mind

How to Stop Worrying, Relieve Anxiety, and Eliminate Negative Thinking

By:
S.J. Scott,
Barrie Davenport

Narrated by:
Greg Zarcone

Length: 3 hrs and 16 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4 out of 5 stars
907

Performance

4 out of 5 stars
765

Story

4 out of 5 stars
753

Feel overwhelmed by your thoughts? Struggling with anxiety about your daily tasks? Or do you want to stop worrying about life? The truth is we all experience the occasional negative thought. But if you always feel overwhelmed, then you need to closely examine how these thoughts are negatively impacting your lifestyle. The solution is to practice specific mindfulness techniques that create more "space" in your mind to enjoy inner peace and happiness.

1 out of 5 stars

Unoriginal and impractical!

By
Boris Issavi
on
07-19-17

The Marshmallow Test

Mastering Self-Control

By:
Walter Mischel

Narrated by:
Alan Alda

Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4 out of 5 stars
1,327

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,185

Story

4 out of 5 stars
1,175

In
The Marshmallow Test, Mischel explains how self-control can be mastered and applied to challenges in everyday life - from weight control to quitting smoking, overcoming heartbreak, making major decisions, and planning for retirement. With profound implications for the choices we make in parenting, education, public policy and self-care,
The Marshmallow Test will change the way you think about who we are and what we can be.

4 out of 5 stars

Not a sweet solution pill, but still can be swallowed.

By
Amazon Customer
on
02-17-15

The Urban Monk

Eastern Wisdom and Modern Hacks to Stop Time and Find Success, Happiness, and Peace

By:
Pedram Shojai OMD

Narrated by:
Pedram Shojai OMD

Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
783

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
708

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
706

The Urban Monk, a
New York Times best seller, reveals the secrets to finding an open heart, sharp mind, and grounded sense of well-being, even in the most demanding circumstances. Shojai's no-nonsense life mastery program brings together clear tools and exercises that can elevate your existence.

5 out of 5 stars

Down From The Himalayas!

By
Gillian
on
01-20-17

Brain Maker

The Power of Gut Microbes to Heal and Protect Your Brain - for Life

By:
David Perlmutter,
Kristin Loberg

Narrated by:
Peter Ganim

Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
3,646

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
3,216

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
3,224

Debilitating brain disorders are on the rise - from children diagnosed with autism and ADHD to adults developing dementia at younger ages than ever before. But a medical revolution is underway that can solve this problem: Astonishing new research is revealing that the health of your brain is, to an extraordinary degree, dictated by the state of your microbiome - the vast population of organisms that live in your body and outnumber your own cells 10 to one.

4 out of 5 stars

Fascinating science & suggestions for diet changes

By
AudioAddict
on
07-03-15

Beyond Religion

Ethics for a Whole World

By:
His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Narrated by:
Martin Sheen

Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,779

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,574

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,551

The Dalai Lama, at his most compassionate and outspoken, here elaborates and deepens his vision for the nonreligious way. Transcending the mere "religion wars", he outlines a system of secular ethics that gives tolerant respect to religion, those that ground ethics in a belief in God and an afterlife, and those that understand good actions as leading to better states of existence in future lives. And yet, with the highest level of spiritual and intellectual authority, the Dalai Lama makes a claim for what he calls a third way.

5 out of 5 stars

Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!

By
Mary
on
12-20-11

The Joy of Less

A Minimalist Guide to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify

By:
Francine Jay

Narrated by:
Teri Schnaubelt

Length: 5 hrs and 59 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
803

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
695

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
683

Francine Jay pioneered the simple living movement with her self-published bestseller,
The Joy of Less. In this fully redesigned and repackaged edition - featuring never-before-seen content - Jay brings her philosophy to more listeners who are eager to declutter. Rather than the "crash diet" approach found in other tidying up books, Jay shares simple steps to cultivate a minimalist mindset and form new habits, paving the way to lasting success.

4 out of 5 stars

Definitely worth a read!

By
art student
on
07-19-16

Declutter Your Mind

How to Stop Worrying, Relieve Anxiety, and Eliminate Negative Thinking

By:
S.J. Scott,
Barrie Davenport

Narrated by:
Greg Zarcone

Length: 3 hrs and 16 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4 out of 5 stars
907

Performance

4 out of 5 stars
765

Story

4 out of 5 stars
753

Feel overwhelmed by your thoughts? Struggling with anxiety about your daily tasks? Or do you want to stop worrying about life? The truth is we all experience the occasional negative thought. But if you always feel overwhelmed, then you need to closely examine how these thoughts are negatively impacting your lifestyle. The solution is to practice specific mindfulness techniques that create more "space" in your mind to enjoy inner peace and happiness.

1 out of 5 stars

Unoriginal and impractical!

By
Boris Issavi
on
07-19-17

The Marshmallow Test

Mastering Self-Control

By:
Walter Mischel

Narrated by:
Alan Alda

Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4 out of 5 stars
1,327

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,185

Story

4 out of 5 stars
1,175

In
The Marshmallow Test, Mischel explains how self-control can be mastered and applied to challenges in everyday life - from weight control to quitting smoking, overcoming heartbreak, making major decisions, and planning for retirement. With profound implications for the choices we make in parenting, education, public policy and self-care,
The Marshmallow Test will change the way you think about who we are and what we can be.

4 out of 5 stars

Not a sweet solution pill, but still can be swallowed.

By
Amazon Customer
on
02-17-15

The Urban Monk

Eastern Wisdom and Modern Hacks to Stop Time and Find Success, Happiness, and Peace

By:
Pedram Shojai OMD

Narrated by:
Pedram Shojai OMD

Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
783

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
708

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
706

The Urban Monk, a
New York Times best seller, reveals the secrets to finding an open heart, sharp mind, and grounded sense of well-being, even in the most demanding circumstances. Shojai's no-nonsense life mastery program brings together clear tools and exercises that can elevate your existence.

5 out of 5 stars

Down From The Himalayas!

By
Gillian
on
01-20-17

Brain Maker

The Power of Gut Microbes to Heal and Protect Your Brain - for Life

By:
David Perlmutter,
Kristin Loberg

Narrated by:
Peter Ganim

Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
3,646

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
3,216

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
3,224

Debilitating brain disorders are on the rise - from children diagnosed with autism and ADHD to adults developing dementia at younger ages than ever before. But a medical revolution is underway that can solve this problem: Astonishing new research is revealing that the health of your brain is, to an extraordinary degree, dictated by the state of your microbiome - the vast population of organisms that live in your body and outnumber your own cells 10 to one.

4 out of 5 stars

Fascinating science & suggestions for diet changes

By
AudioAddict
on
07-03-15

Dare

The New Way to End Anxiety and Stop Panic Attacks Fast

By:
Barry McDonagh

Narrated by:
Barry McDonagh

Length: 6 hrs and 19 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
948

Performance

5 out of 5 stars
837

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
827

If you're tired of just managing your anxiety and want a powerful natural solution, then apply the DARE technique, as explained in Barry McDonagh's latest book. Based on hard science and over 10 years of helping people who suffer from anxiety, Barry McDonagh shares his most effective technique in this new book. The DARE technique can be used by everyone, regardless of age or background, to live lives free from anxiety or panic attacks.

2 out of 5 stars

Audio Book is not the right medium for this

By
Natalie Perez
on
12-26-17

The Worry Trick

How Your Brain Tricks You into Expecting the Worst and What You Can Do About It

By:
David Carbonell PhD

Narrated by:
Stephen Paul Aulridge Jr.

Length: 6 hrs and 7 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4 out of 5 stars
450

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
381

Story

4 out of 5 stars
380

Are you truly in danger or has your brain simply "tricked" you into thinking you are? In
The Worry Trick, psychologist and anxiety expert David Carbonell shows how anxiety hijacks the brain and offers effective techniques to help you break the cycle of worry, once and for all. Anxiety is a powerful force. It makes us question ourselves and our decisions, causes us to worry about the future, and fills our days with dread and emotional turbulence.

4 out of 5 stars

Solid perspective on worry

By
Amazon Customer
on
08-30-17

Real Love

The Art of Mindful Connection

By:
Sharon Salzberg

Narrated by:
Sharon Salzberg

Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
260

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
231

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
226

Real Love is a creative tool kit of mindfulness exercises and meditation techniques that help you to truly engage with your present experience and create deeper love relationships with yourself, your partner, friends and family, and life itself.

4 out of 5 stars

Book is awesome, interface needs improvement

By
Catherine B.
on
02-12-18

The More of Less

By:
Joshua Becker

Narrated by:
Joshua Becker

Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,678

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,512

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,512

Most of us know we own too much stuff. We feel the weight and burden of our clutter, and we tire of cleaning and managing and organizing. While excess consumption leads to bigger houses, faster cars, fancier technology, and cluttered homes, it never brings happiness. Rather, it results in a desire for more. It redirects our greatest passions to things that can never fulfill, and it distracts us from the very lives we wish we were living. But it doesn't have to be this way.

5 out of 5 stars

Life Changer

By
Elsie
on
12-18-17

The Motivation Manifesto

By:
Brendon Burchard

Narrated by:
Brendon Burchard

Length: 6 hrs and 51 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,243

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,061

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,055

The Motivation Manifesto is a pulsing, articulate, ferocious call to claim our personal power. World-renowned high performance trainer Brendon Burchard reveals that the main motive of humankind is the pursuit of greater Personal Freedom. We desire the grand liberties of choice - time freedom, emotional freedom, social freedom, financial freedom, spiritual freedom.

1 out of 5 stars

Vanilla and pretty generic.

By
Julian Hibbert
on
01-26-17

Real Happiness at Work

Meditations for Accomplishment, Achievement, and Peace

By:
Sharon Salzberg

Narrated by:
Sharon Salzberg

Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
86

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
67

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
68

How would you like to be calmer, less distracted, more productive, and more content at your job? You might think it would take more hours in the day, a better boss, more support, less interference, a shorter commute - and the list goes on. Most of the things we think would help are either not in our control or simply not realistic. But there is one thing we can do to achieve the qualities we seek, and it can be done invisibly and often: meditation.

5 out of 5 stars

inspirational and totally useful

By
C. L. Campion
on
10-21-15

The Anatomy of Peace, Expanded Second Edition

Resolving the Heart of Conflict

By:
The Arbinger Institute

Narrated by:
Oliver Wyman

Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,537

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,365

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,363

From the authors of
Leadership and Self-Deception comes an international best seller that instills hope and inspires reconciliation. Through a moving story of parents who are struggling with their own children and with problems that have come to consume their lives, we learn from once-bitter enemies the way to transform personal, professional, and global conflicts, even when war is upon us.

In this revised and updated third edition of
Unbeatable Mind, Mark Divine offers his philosophy and methods for developing maximum potential through integrated warrior development. This work was created through trial and error, proving to thousands of clients that they are capable of 20 times more than what they believe.

4 out of 5 stars

Strong book terrible narrator

By
beau
on
06-23-16

Creative Confidence

Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All

By:
Tom Kelley,
David Kelley

Narrated by:
Dan Woren

Length: 7 hrs and 8 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
665

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
572

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
564

Too often, companies and individuals assume that creativity and innovation are the domain of the "creative types." But two of the leading experts in innovation, design, and creativity on the planet show us that each and every one of us is creative. In an incredibly entertaining and inspiring narrative that draws on countless stories from their work at IDEO, the Stanford d.school, and with many of the world's top companies, David and Tom Kelley identify the principles and strategies that will allow us to tap into our creative potential.

4 out of 5 stars

Just not enough there for me

By
Samir Sanghani
on
01-24-14

The Love Dare

By:
Stephen Kendrick,
Alex Kendrick

Narrated by:
Adam Verner

Length: 5 hrs and 48 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
227

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
191

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
195

With more than five million copies in print, in nearly two dozen languages,
The Love Dare has become an exciting, enriching journey for couples around the world. It can now become yours. Though unconditional love is promised at weddings, it is rarely practiced in real life. As a result, romantic hopes often fade into disappointment at home. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. Whether your marriage is hanging by a thread or healthy and strong, this 40-day journey (featured in the hit movie
Fireproof) challenges husbands and wives to understand and practice unconditional love.

5 out of 5 stars

Do it! commit to it, no matter what!

By
cherish
on
01-12-17

Esther Perel's Where Should We Begin?: The Arc of Love

By:
Esther Perel

Narrated by:
Esther Perel

Length: 4 hrs and 38 mins

Original Recording

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
5,586

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
4,948

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
4,927

For her latest Audible Original, Where Should We Begin?: The Arc of Love, Esther Perel invites you to listen to private and intimate conversations exploring the evolution of relationships. Hear six sets of people at different points in their quests for romantic and familial love, including a young couple whose immigration status has forced them to consider marriage, a stepmother trying to put the pieces back together for four children whose mother died by suicide, a nonbinary child desperate to connect with their single mother, and more.

The
New York Times bestseller, which for 10 years has been a must-have for women in business, is now completely revised and updated. In this new edition, internationally recognized executive coach Lois P. Frankel reveals a distinctive set of behaviors-over 130 in all-that women learn in girlhood that ultimately sabotage them as adults. She teaches you how to eliminate these unconscious mistakes that could be holding you back and offers invaluable coaching tips that can easily be incorporated into your social and business skills.

There is no better person to show a beginner how to harness the power of meditation than Sharon Salzberg, one of the world’s foremost meditation teachers and spiritual authors. Cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society, author of Loving kindness, Faith, and other books, Ms. Salzberg distills 30 years of teaching meditation into a 28-day program that will change lives. It is not about Buddhism, it’s not esoteric - it is closer to an exercise, like running or riding a bike. From the basics of posture, breathing, and the daily schedule to the finer points of calming the mind, distraction, dealing with specific problem areas (pain in the legs? falling asleep?) to the larger issues of compassion and awareness, Real Happiness is a complete guide. It explains how meditation works; why a daily meditation practice results in more resiliency, creativity, peace, clarity, and balance; and gives twelve meditation practices, including mindfulness meditation and walking meditation. An extensive selection of FAQs cover the most frequent concerns of beginners who meditate - “Is meditation selfish?” “How do I know if I’m doing it right?” “Can I use meditation to manage weight?”

Beautifully written and read by the author.

What did you love best about Real Happiness?

I find Sharon Salzberg's gentle words transmitted beautifully in "Real Happiness." As they were in "Lovingkindness." The significant difference is that this audiobook is unabridged, so that all of her loving wisdom and teachings in this book are shared in the audio version. And, as with "Lovingkindness," this is a book to which one can listen while driving, not just while being still with no outside distractions. it has been a wonderful addition to my library, and I enjoy listening to it again and again.

Excellent material for an audiobook, titled chapters would be great.

As the listener will likely want to refer back to various sections of the book, particularly the guided meditations, the lack of section titles (simply listed as chapters 1-33) makes this difficult. For example, an example meditation 'chapter' may be only 3 minutes long, whereas a true chapter may be 30 minutes. The meditations are interspersed throughout the book, which is beneficial as they appear in context rather than as a separate physical CD, as would accompany the paperback form. The reader is advised to add title bookmarks to each chapter to assist with navigation.

Amazing for understand and start meditation

If you could sum up Real Happiness in three words, what would they be?

Compassionate, simple and practical.

What other book might you compare Real Happiness to and why?

I can't think of anyone as this one.

What about Sharon Salzberg’s performance did you like?

Yes. Her voice is very calm. It's nice.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Meditate and start being happy

Any additional comments?

I really recommend it. I have hear and read a lot of different approachs to meditation, but no one has been as simple, compassionate and practica as this one. It is amazing for someone that wants to start meditating or even to improve your actual meditation practice. The only thing I would suggest to audible.com is that they make the authors add a index with the chapters and sub-chapters and the minutes and seconds in which you can find it. It would make it easier to get back to a especific theme.

worthy

An excellent starter for someone wanting to explore meditation. It's probably the next best thing to attending a class, but because it is an "online class" so to speak, one wants to go through it all in one sitting, which isn't feasible. But I will reuse this again and again to help me get started and try to maintain a commitment to meditation. Her voice is gentle and calm, her pauses, at first surprising, are well timed. I enjoyed my time with Sharon.

A pleasure to read and experience

This is probably my 6th or 7th book on mindfulness and this is among my favorites so far. All are pretty good - I'm really liking Ronald Siegel' Mindfulness Solutions.

Like many books, written and recorded of this genre, the wisdom is communicated through explanation, metaphor, thought exercises, homework and guided meditations. Mindful practice as it seems to exist in the west is a bit like ballet - there are the basic positions -- in this case assumptions, practices, organizing principles from which each person creates a new and unique expression. Some resonate more than others. Sharon's approach and personal style really resonate with me. Her book is extremely well written, credible without going into the details of neuropsychological and behavioral research -- She reports the trends and collective wisdom of the research community and I trust and believe her. Thank you Sharon for telling me everything you know about neurology.

Sharon's writing is clear and direct. Her voice is compassionate without being too bohemian and new age. In reading this book it is easy to see why Sharon is one of the more popular Buddhism influenced mindfulness meditation practitioners and teachers. She comes across as interested as motivated to write to give others the benefit of what she has learned and experienced. But she does not come across as needing to sell you on anything or get anyone to admire her. She connects with her audience by being someone you could idenfify with -- a regular person who really seems comfortable in her own skin. She shows up as caring and insightful in her anecdotes and illustrations and you feel that, through the book, she is a friend. I must admit, I can't attest to what happens in 28 days. I didn't test that aspect out.

So Practically Helpful!!!

I have read many different books on meditation. Some are extremely esoteric and philosophically complicated, aimed at becoming enlightened or a bodhisattva. This was beautifully practical, and kind of aimed at more earthly beings, like me, who need help finding equanimity in every day challenges. I have been going through an extremely tough time, caring for my elderly mother with dementia. I discovered, the loving kindness mediation, directed at myself first (!!!) gives me the patience and equanimity to deal with all the difficulties and challenges. I also had the insight, that what this world needs more than anything right now is loving kindness. May all beings live in peace.

Meditation made easy!

Would you consider the audio edition of Real Happiness to be better than the print version?

I am a hands on person so some times its easier to incorporate audio into my day than print. I sometime need to slow down and don't spend as much time with "print" so I was able to take away more meaning and understanding with the audio version at this time.

What did you like best about this story?

The practical application. I was able to slow myself down when I wake up at night and my mind is racing. I used some of the practices to go back to sleep.

Which character – as performed by Sharon Salzberg – was your favorite?

Don't really thave a favorate.

What did you learn from Real Happiness that you would use in your daily life?

To except, acknowledge, and move on. She gave several practical ways to do this.

Any additional comments?

I have already listen once and am now going back to listen to again to see what I may have missed the first time!

Great introduction to meditation and mindfulness

What did you love best about Real Happiness?

I was looking for an introduction to meditation and mindfulness and 100% found what I was looking for in this book. The how-to on doing meditation was incredibly helpful, as well as the discussion of the benefits that meditation can bring. I definitely feel this book has helped to bring more calm and balance into my life. I read through a few other books on meditation and mindfulness and would recommend this one first and foremost over those others.